On this day: January 16

"Don Quixote" is first published, Prohibition is ratified and goes into effect, Hitler moves underground, and the space shuttle Columbia takes off for the last time, all on this day.

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ABC Television

1908: Actress and singer Ethel Merman, known primarily for her powerful voice and roles in musical theater, is born Ethel Agnes Zimmermann in Astoria, Queens, New York. Among the many standards introduced by Merman in Broadway musicals are "I Got Rhythm," "Everything's Coming Up Roses," "I Get a Kick Out of You," "It's De-Lovely," "You're the Top," "Anything Goes" and "There's No Business Like Show Business." She died in her sleep at age 76 on Feb. 15, 1984.

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